HOST 08.09.12- 09.09.12

I had intended to make it to 4 or 5 venues on the HOST Trail this weekend in Kirkless, but sadly I wasn't feeling 100% and so only made it to 2- boo (the 'day job' has been taking it's toll).

First Chris and I strolled down the lovely section of canal between the National Trust Car Park in Marsden to Standedge Visitors Centre and had a look around 'The Loft Space'. The website blurb describes 'The Loft Space' thus-

The Loft Spaces is open to all, Wednesdays through to Sundays. Whether you just want to sit, knit, read, chat or sew in the company of others, come along to our creative café and enjoy the creative ambiance. Alternatively book yourself a workspace for a full or half day and give yourself some space to work and use our equipment.

It was a beautifully spacious, light and bright area with a warm, inviting atmosphere. I had a good look around and found it to be lovely. Various crafts were on display and the ladies working in the Loft were friendly and chatty. I can certainly see why artists would come here to work. The Visitors Centre itself is also a delight- there's a great exhibit about the Tunnel's history on the ground floor, a 'water taxi' from the Centre back to Marsden, or you can go on a canal barge into the Tunnel itself, and there's a lovely little pub just up the road.

 View from 'The Loft Space' down to the canal.

Entrance to Standedge Visitors Centre.

If you'd like more information about 'The Loft Space' or the Visitors Centre check out their websites at http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/standedge-tunnel/the-loft-space and http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/standedge-tunnel/visit-us.

After that, Chris and I walked back to Marsden along the Canal again and went to pay a visit to Kevin Threlfall in his studio, Blackmoss (12a Victoria Street, Marsden. http://threlfall.co.uk/blackmoss.html). Kevin's wife Natalie was keeping him company, so we had a good chinwag and look at the art on display. I was amazed by how tidy Kevin's area of the studio was actually (he shares it with 2 other artists)! I can remember, years and years ago, going to Kevin's Undergraduate exhibit at Huddersfield University- its wonderful to see how far Kevin has come since then and I'm especially loving his recent, colourful works.

All in all, a lovely afternoon. Its just a shame I didn't feel well enough to get round some more places- but then, there's always next year!